Congress gets eviction notice for Chanakyapuri flat once occupied by party chief's aide

NEW DELHI: The Directorate of Estates (DoE) has slapped an eviction notice on Congress to vacate the accommodation in Chanakyapuri in the Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone which was occupied by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s aide Vincent George for a long time.
The C-ll/109 was a power address in Central Delhi as it was occupied by George who was close to Rahul and Sonia Gandhi. Sources said George no longer stays in that flat, but it’s still in the Congress party’s possession.The national party has allowed another Congress member to stay in the flat.
In the eviction notice, the DoE under the housing and urban affairs ministry has said that the flat in Delhi’s posh locality has been under “unauthorised occupation” and hence it should be vacated. It said the allotment for the accommodation was cancelled in June 2013 by the directorate.
The party has been directed to respond to the notice within three working days and it has asked for personal appearance to explain why an order of eviction should not be issued. As per the rule, the allottee can appear in person or through a duly authorised representative to answer all material questions connected with the matter along with the evidence to produce in support of his case.
The notice said in case the allottee fails to show cause or appear within the stipulated time, the case will be decided ex parte.
In a recent RTI reply, the directorate had revealed that the total dues for the property stood close to Rs 3.1 crore. The rent was last paid in August 2013. In February, the DoE had sent a notice to the Congress party to pay the pending rent and dues for three properties — the premises from where the Seva Dal operates, official residence and the flat occupied by George.